Dimitar Berbatov has said that playing for Manchester United against former club Leicester City will be "s***" for Harry Maguire.

United spent a world record £80million on Maguire to take him from the Foxes to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, making him the most expensive defender in history.

And Berbatov, who played for United against his former club Tottenham several times during his career, had a warning for the Reds centre-back.

"United have a tough match against Leicester at Old Trafford on Saturday," he said in his Betfair blog.

"It could be a particularly difficult one for Harry Maguire who joined them from Leicester in August.

"Playing against your old club is s***. It’s very difficult to spend two seasons somewhere – as Maguire did at Leicester and I did at Spurs – showing what you can do then get a big move and have to play against your old teammates with whom you’re probably still in touch. As hard as you try to be professional, friendships can sometimes get in the way."

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Although United's chances will be hit by an injury crisis that has ruled stars like Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial out of the game, Berbatov wants whoever plays the game to be brave and demand the ball against a strong Leicester side, who are currently third in the league after a positive start to the new campaign.

"It will be interesting to see which United players go looking for the ball on Saturday," he added.

"I really hope they start as if they’re desperate to win. An early goal would ease the tension but Maguire and his teammates will need to keep it tight at the back, as they failed to hold on to the lead at Southampton.

"I’m backing United to win a close match and, as they’ve only kept one clean sheet so far, will go with 2-1 as the score."